Nothing but a Child

Once upon a time in a far off land
Wise men saw a sign and set out across the sand
Songs of praise to sing, they travelled day and night
And precious gifts to bring, guided by the light

They chased a brand new star, ever towards the west
Across the mountains far, but when they came to rest
They scarce believed their eyes, they'd come so many miles
And this miracle they prized was nothing but a child

And nothing but a child could wash those tears away
Or guide a weary world into the light of day
And nothing but a child could help erase those miles
So once again we can all be children for a while

Now all around the world, in every little town
Every day is heard a precious little sound
And every mother kind and every father proud
Looks down in awes to find another chance allowed

And nothing but a child could wash those tears away
Or guide a weary world into the light of day
And nothing but a child could help erase those miles
So once again we can all be children for a while

Nothing but a little baby
Nothing but a child

-Steve Earle-

Third light of Advent

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The third light of Advent is the light of beasts.

Animals of farm, field, forest, air and sea.

All await the birth in the greatest and in least.

******************************************************************


Tonight we light three candles.

Advent

A new book rests on our bedside table (we co - sleep), it is The Story of the Root Children by Sibylle von Olfers.

I am surprised by how much this book is being requested to be read before bedtime, there is some element in it that Mia relates to.

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"The second light of Advent is the light of plants.

Roots, stem, leaf, flower and fruit by whom we live and grow." Rudolph Steiner

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Today we are spending the day creating a new theme for our nature table, to follow on with Advent "light of plants".

With help, Mia will light the candles after dinner.

Heaven on Earth

The following was taken from the introduction to Heaven on Earth, written by Sharifa Oppenheimer.

"OUR CHILDREN ARE, in the words of Kahlil Gibran, the gift of Life's longing for Itself. They

run toward Life, arms open, and Life loves Itself through their small bodies. Pressing

themselves into sand, sifting dirt, watching an inchworm measure a branch, reaching toward the

black cat, who evades, then looks at them through inscrutable green eyes.... it is their biological

imperative to reach toward Life, and we, their caregivers, must structure the way in which Life

reaches back, the way they are touched in return.

They need to be touched by grass, flowers, sunshine, birdsong. They need a pile of dirt, and

earthworms, clay for mud pies and dirt balls for target practice. They need sticks and bare feet,

tubbed toes too. They need songs, stories, paints, costumes. And games that go on without end.

These children are Life reaching out to discover Itself. What they touch must be vibrantly

alive, that in growing they mey learn to respect, to nurture, to cherish and protect. This is our

task ; it is urgent they thrive.

They are Hope itself, here, now, forever. "




Very powerful words.

Is it just me

Due to the ongoing heat, 8 days straight over 35 degress with more to come.

I am finding it increasingly difficult to keep an active 3 1/2 year old content with playing inside.

I on the other hand have lost hours on Ravelry, it's a yarn lovers Utopia.

With all the recent time I have spent on Ravelry, I probably could have finished 2 jumpers.

Schme


My eldest daughter (Laura) is arriving today from Queensland.
A birthday surprise for me.


Turning 40 on Monday.
My God, where did the time go...................................

Big changes are coming, another move, a much anticipated adventure into Steiner Education and Camilla leaving for Wilderness as a boarder.
How will I cope without my 'precious heart' brown eyed girl.

Anti-nuclear antibodies

Mia has been suffering from some very noticable hair loss over the last 3 weeks.

Our GP and Dermatologist ordered blood tests after nothing obvious was noted to be causing her hair loss, infection, tinea and alopecia were all ruled out.

She returned a positive on her Anti-nuclear antibodies and a positive for Lupus.

We are facing a barrage of tests in the coming weeks as she also has protein present in her urine.

I have had a week to digest this information, but still feel a little overwhelmed as I have more questions than can be given answers.

There is so much we don't know.

I love this little face

Glass Shelf

This glass shelf you can see above the sink, yeh, that tiny little glass shelf pictured below.
It took me an hour and a half to hang that shelf.

Only 4 screws (note to self, check where power point is on other side of wall), so the third screw I put in decides to touch, just a tickle mind you the electrical wires running behind the wall. So the result, the elcb kicks in and we lose all power. Anyway, after some damn fine electrical work and a fair bit of electrical tape, we have power restored and a spiffy glass shelf above the $20 sink.

I am still in awe of my chandelier.

The end is in site, a new spout, some plastering and finally painting.

'To blog or not to blog'

Like a warp and weft thread, the question seems to weave its way in and out of many of my favourite spaces.

'To blog or not to blog'.

I am truly grateful to the many of you that have shared experiences and everyday life, it offers inspiration and has paved the way for me to open my little world to you.

I am humbled by the strength and vitality of so many women.

Even the turbulent times, that move too quickly, leaving me dazed and confused, and sometimes wounded.

They too, serve a purpose and I embrace them fully, now that I understand the way life works.

Studio Tunic

Named the "studio tunic".

This top has been a long time in the works, laying around on my drafting table for months.

Available in sizes 2, 4, 6 and 8.

Mia is wearing a cotton print in the new version of an old favourite design of my own.

I am proud to put my name to this updated model.

Currently being made in a slate gray flannel, perfect for layering.

More yarn loveliness

Habu Textiles Super Fine Merino, will be used in combination with Stainless Steel/Silk blend also from Habu.

Silver/Slate wool, from www.ourladyoftherock.com A Benedictine Monastery located in the San Juan Islands of Washington state.

Mother Hidegard is an absolute joy to speak with, to know more, there is a very informative article on Our Lady Of The Rock in Wild Fibers magazine.

www.wilfibersmagazine.com I subscribe to this beautiful publication.

And finally from Swift River Farm www.swiftriverfarm.com some gorgeous 2 ply Jumper Weight Yarn.

95 % Pure Shetland Wool

5 % Bombyx Silk

Enjoy

I did it

I finally bit the bullet and attempted knitting in the round.

I have not only mastered the 'Emily Ocker's cast on', but have used 4 dpn's to begin with and am now on a circular needle.
To start off, needles were flying around everywhere, poking me here and poking me there. But I perservered, I showed those needles who were boss, just like Elizabeth Zimmerman said I would.
I have cast on the EZ Pi Shawl, and what an addictive knit it has become.

My first shawl, my first E O cast on, my first E Z pattern (love it), my first experience with dpn's, and my first knitting in the round.

Perfect, as we had all succumbed to the flu in this house, (almost all, it appears Coen has been spared).
We have had the works, vomiting, diarrhoea, coughing, sneezing and endless boxes of tissues have been used.

I find, as a single parent illnesses very challenging. The first couple of days were not so bad with Mia sick first then folllowd closely behind by Camilla. But on the fourth morning I knew I was in trouble.
Having had no sleep for the previous 3 nights, nursing Mia, my defences were well and truly down.

It is in these dark moments of pain and fogginess I find myself thinking 'how are we going to get through this'.

So, here we are 10 days later, feeling a little more human than wounded animal.
Now the task is to clean the house as nothing has been done in a week.

Plenty of knitting though, in between resting on the couch in front of the fire. No sports were played over the weekend, as I declared complete rest for everyone, no matter how well you think you may feel.

Pictures Of You

I dare you to watch this and not cry.

This post was prompted by "pictures".
I have just finished reading how 'M' has lost hers.
And after watching 60 minutes last night (something I normally would not do), I found myself looking at pictures of old classmates well into the late hours of the night.

The impact of looking at pictures, the emotional torrent of flooding memories.
And the drowning sensation.
Yet, in complete contrast the overwhelming joy (birth pictures)

Pictures Of You

I've been looking so long at these pictures of you
That I almost belive that they're real
I've been living so long with my pictures of you
That I almost believe the pictures are all I can feel

Remembering you, standing quiet in the rain
As I ran to your heart to be near
And we kissed as the sky fell in, holding you close
How I always held close in your fear

Remembering you, running soft through the night
You were bigger and brighter and whiter than snow
And screamed at the make believe, screamed at the sky
And you finally found all your courage to let it all go

Remembering you, fallen into my arms
Crying for the death of your heart
You were stone white, so delicate, lost in the cold
You were always so lost in the dark

Remembering you, how you used to be
Slow drowned, you were angels
So much more than everything
Hold for the last time, then slip away quietly
Open my eyes, but I never see anything

If only I'd thought of the right words
I could have held on to your heart
If only I'd thought of the right words
I wouldn't be breaking apart
All my pictures of you

Looking so long at these pictures of you
But I never hold on to your heart
Looking so long for the words to be true
But always just breaking apart
My pictures of you

There was nothing in the world that I ever wanted more
Than to feel you deep in my heart
There was nothing in the world that I ever wanted more
Than to never feel the breaking apart
My pictures of you

The Cure

Beginner

I am hoping this will be the next project for me, after 2 x school scarves and Moss Rib Sweater for Camilla.

Having never attempted cables before, I am looking forward to it.

Finger Callisthenics

When I first stumbled across this scarf on Ravelry, I enjoyed the complexity of the pattern (only a 2 row repeat).
Now, after finally mastering the pattern (I did mention it has ONLY a 2 row repeat), I am really enjoying this knit.
It is actually fun, once your fingers have recovered.
Definitely a slow knit, but what a refreshing change from mindless 'stocking stitch'.

Stella

Cascade Yarns 100% Undyed Peruvian Highland Wool.

This yarn is hefty and chunky, being reserved for a lap blanket for me.

I can feel the warmth of this wool whilst the skein is resting on my lap, gorgeous.

Malabrigo kettle dyed, pure merino wool.

www.malabrigoyarn.com for more color. I have in mind another scarf maybe.

I love living in a climate that allows me to wear these fibres.

Beaverslide Dry Goods www.beaverslide.com

This yarn and the available colour palette is stunning.

"Fine wool grown in Montana. The colours were inspired by the natural world here on the Rocky Mountain Front, and are unique to our company. It's processed in Maine and spun on an antique spinning mule."

I feel the word 'rustic' is overused in descriptions, but it is certainly warranted when describing this particular yarn.

Our newest member of the family.

She made her way into our home and hearts uninvited.

But she is here to stay.

Aptly named for when attacking skeins of yarn S - T - E - L - L - AAAAAAAA

Hello

Habu Textiles Fiddlehead Cotton Silk, this is a very rare, traditional yarn from Niigata inNorthern Japan. It is made from mixing the fiddlehead fern cotton with silk. The result is a delicate, very soft, rustic yarn.

Habu Textiles Silk Stainless Steel 69% silk, 31% stainless steel. Originally used as an industrial yarn to create oil filters, this extra fine yarn has a core of stainless steel with silk wrapped around the core. Because of the stainless steel, there is a memory in the yarn.

Manos del Uruguay Silk Blend 30% silk, 70% merino extrafine wool, kettle dyed

Manos del Uruguay is a non profit organistaion which assembles over 400 artisans in cooperatives scattered throughout the countryside of Uruguay. The aim of the organisation is to bring economic and social opportunities to rural women.

Unfortunately, I haven't been able to capture the true colour of this yarn. (Juniper 3043).

It is the most exquisite blue.

Hello, my name is Caroline and I am a yarn addict.

Solidarity

This photo was taken on one of my last day trips around my local area (in Queensland), in the last weeks before moving to Victoria.

While taking some time to compose the shot, I thought of many things.

I remember the only sounds where of the water and the occasional motorcyclist speeding by, this particular road is a favourite amongst bikers.
I know as I used to be one of them.
The people in this photo, I don't know.
But I was completely envious of their solidarity in harmony with nature.
When I look at this photo, I note that the couple are not actually touching, but they are probably close enough to feel and hear each others breathe.

It speaks of comfort and space at the same time.
I do remember wishing I had someone to share moments like these with, I still do.

I also recall feeling a little like an intruder and apologising to them for interupting their meditations.
She had an expressive, warm face with deep lines. A faint hint of a smile around her lips, her reply was "beauty is for everyone".
He had a twinkle in his eye, but remained silent.

I left feeling 'lost'.

So, here I sit at 9.15 pm Sunday evening, killing time waiting for the tiredness to kick in.
I can't go to sleep until my eyelids are dropping. Otherwise I lay in bed thinking about things like this couple or dwelling too much on loneliness.

Finished

Finally, this scarf was becoming a little monotonous. Endless rows of garter stitch, create mind numbing boredom.

But, I love it.
I love its texture, colour and most importantly its warmth.

I am particularly pleased I continued with its finished length, so many times I had to stop the urge to cast off earlier.


Next on the needles will be Moss Rib Sweater using te darker colour above (Jo Sharp Silkroad DK Tweed) 85% wool, 10% silk and 5% cashmere.

Cleverly creative

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2_HXUhShhmY

If you have a couple of spare minutes, click on the above.

I would love to know how to directly link to 'you tube', can anyone help ?

itouch

An early Mother's Day gift.
I am completely addicted to WordFu and Solitaire. The kids and I spent most of the night downloading games, applications and music.

They are so impatient with my lack of net savvy, every question was met "sheeeesh, why don't you know this".

So I have been visiting itunes all morning and can safely say "I AM THE MASTER", just you kids wait till you get home and see what I can do.

Busy

I adore how much these two love each other.

Coen ran a cross country yesterday. He finished in the top 1/3.

This one is for me, Long Textured Scarf is knit with Silkroad Aran Tweed (85% wool, 10% silk, 5% cashmere) Rare Comfort Infusion Kid Mohair (80% kid mohair, 5% wool, 15% polyamide) and Rare Comfort Kid Mohair (80% kid mohair, 5% wool, 15% polyamide).

It measures 25 cm in width and will probably end up around 2.1 metres in length.

It is also the first project I have knitted for myself.

A wedding gift in the mail for Phil and Anna.

Green scarf has been knit with Jo Sharp Silkroad Aran, 85% wool 10% silk and 5% cashmere.

The pattern is "Sinfully Ribbed" obtained via Ravelry and is approx 2.1 metres in length.

I added a small fringe which has given this scarf a Doctor Who'ish look about it.

A joy to knit (love this yarn).

The steel grey coloured scarf is a revisit of a favourite pattern, using same yarn as previously used on Christmas gift.

Patons Merino Totem DK, I knit this scarf to a length of 1.8 metres, the pattern Sailors Rib Scarf.

Finally a bath that fits the void.

Just waiting on longer length rails which are holding the shower curtain in place.

A couple of coats of paint, skirting board and lighting are all that is left.

At least now we can bathe inside.

Aaargghh

Wrong size bath.

This one measures 1480mm, I ordered the 1760mm.

As tempted as I am to keep the smaller sized bath, I know that after time I would begin to hate it.

It is just too small.

So we wait, another week I'm told, thing is Easter falls in the middle, so more like 2 weeks.

I love how the shower rose comes down through the ceiling.

3 days

Did I say 3 days, a week later tiling is complete.

Tonight I will put up the vj panelling.

The Plumber is due to arrive first thing in the morning for the fit out.

This bathroom reno has been designed around a $20 pink cast iron pedestal basin (purchased from our local up-cycle tip shop) and a $30 chandelier (bought at a garage sale).

I think if I was ever to attempt another bathroom renovation (never say never), I would outsource for a tiler.

The cost involved with ripping up the first tiles I laid, then purchasing more to replace, would have more than covered a professionals cost.

Add to that, the sheer frustration and endless swearing, it just isn't worth the headache.

I initially told the kids we would only be bathing in the backyard for a week at most, almost 4 weeks later and I can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Tonight I will savour my bath and wonder at the evening sky, but will be secretly delighting at the prospect of having a shower tomorrow night.

Remembering

After carding, the (above) natural greasy fleece, looks like this (below).

Then the fun begins.

Spinning is not as easy as it looks, but it is tremendously rewarding.

I find myself thinking of many things while spinning.

How are you Mary ?

I feel the tension in my neck and shoulders dissipate.

Constantly dreaming of the beautiful items I will one day knit with this gorgeous fibre.

Spinning is also a sensory delight, the smell (reminds me of the sheep fat I used on cracked nipples when breast feeding eldest daughter), the touch is earthy and wholesome and the sight of the glistening staples after carding in the sunlight is brilliant.

I remember my mum spinning when I was little.

Tiling

I saw 4 shooting stars this morning while I was in the bath, 6am.

The kids jumped in as dawn broke.

We all agree, that even when the new bathroom is finished, we will still use the old bath outside.


I have finally finished tiling the floor. The walls should be completed in 3 days.

Sheep will be next

I am now the very proud owner of the Joy Single Treadle spinning wheel.

Special request, for you Grandma

Persistence pays off (along with a small bribe)

My very camera shy boy.

Progress

Progress is slow.

Yuk

No wonder we couldn't get cold water in the kitchen.

I love my new taps.

Bathroom/Life Renovation

I really have had enough of bathing in the backyard.

Hopefully, I will finish the tiling today, leaving the week-end free to hang th vj panelling.

And if all goes to plan, the plumber will arrive Monday to fit out new bathroom.

I remember when

I remember when happiness showed on the outside.

Oh, the cleverness of you

Old.

Alone.

Done for !

A good movie is one that still haunts you days later.

jcbsong

This is one of the most incredibly cute and heartfelt songs I have heard in years.
www.jcbsong.co.uk/jcbvideo.asp

If you find yourself with a spare 3 minutes, please go and listen, watch the clip and then navigate to the artist's home page and read the history of the song.

Little boys will love this and mums will adore it.

Record

Our 7th straight day over 40 degrees has broken a 100 year old record.

We have forecast for Monday and Tuesday 40 degress with Wednesday and Thursday predicted to reach 41 degrees.

I made an offer on property in Tasmania.

An Awesome Book

I have just completed the checkout to purchase this book by Dallas Clayton. If you haven't seen or heard about this book yet, go to http://dallasclayton.com/products/ .

I promise you will love it, being able to view the book before purchase is fantastic marketing. Once finished reading it, you will want to buy, just to keep reading it over and over again.

Life is all about creating memories with my children at the moment, and this book reinforces what is important, to me and them.